Framework Collection Kitchen -Behind the Scenes!

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share a quick update on what I've been working on over the past few weeks and give you a glimpse of what's coming next.

As many of you have probably noticed, I've been dedicating a huge amount of time to building the FRAMEWORK Collection. We started with the modular sofas, then moved on to the modular lighting set, and now my full attention is focused on the new modular kitchen counter set.

This project has turned out to be much bigger than I originally expected.

When I first started this project, my main goal was simply to let players customize their kitchen counters.

Then I remembered a question someone had asked me about the modular sofas: "Will it be possible to move the entire setup as a single object?" Unfortunately, that wasn't possible with the sofas, although I managed to make it work with the modular lighting system.

That got me thinking... What if players could move an entire kitchen?

Suddenly, that idea became a reality.

My goal was never to create just another kitchen counter set. Instead, I wanted to develop a platform that would allow players to build truly diverse kitchens without relying on dozens of unique objects. Rather than creating a specific piece for every possible situation, I'm designing modules that can be combined in countless ways while maintaining a consistent visual language and the same level of quality.

Every module needs to connect seamlessly with the others, share components, support different door and drawer configurations, allow for future expansions, and at the same time remain lightweight enough not to impact the game's performance.

To make that possible, I've spent many hours testing different snapping solutions, reorganizing the entire element structure, and finding ways to reduce the number of required objects while still offering as many combinations as possible.

Handles, decorative details, and several other components can be shared across multiple counters, making the entire collection feel more cohesive while also making future style packs much easier to develop.

Optimization has also been one of my biggest priorities. I'm constantly comparing the geometry cost of each piece against original The Sims 3 objects to ensure the collection delivers a high level of detail without becoming unnecessarily heavy.

For the first time, I'm also creating proper LOD variations for every object. While this isn't strictly necessary, since most pieces stay below 400 vertices, I wanted the collection to follow modern optimization standards whenever possible.

For comparison, a four-drawer counter, including a simple round handle and its countertop, ends up with almost the same vertex count as a complete kitchen counter from The Sims 3: Ambitions.

So if you're wondering, "But Erick, won't modular counters be more demanding on performance?"

The answer is no.

Another important detail is that this entire system is built by repurposing decorative slots that already exist in the game. I'm essentially reorganizing those slots, changing their attributes, and giving them new responsibilities.

For example, a decorative slot can be placed on the side of the counter base and configured so it only accepts another object tagged as Large. The counter base itself is then tagged as Large, allowing compatible modules to snap together automatically.

The countertop works in a similar way. I add a centered decorative slot configured to accept a Medium object, then classify the countertop as Medium so it naturally snaps onto the base. From there, additional slots are added to connect other modular elements, and the process continues.

There's really no magic behind it. We're simply doing what we've always done best: reimagining how existing game systems can be used.

Although there's still a lot of work ahead, I'm incredibly happy with the direction this project is taking. For the first time, I truly feel like I've found a foundation that can support almost every modular furniture collection I plan to develop in the future.

And speaking of the future...

Even before finishing the kitchen counters, I've already started prototyping the next major FRAMEWORK Collection set.

Modular beds.

Everything is still in a very early stage, but I've already begun exploring how beds could become a modular system similar to what I created with the lighting collection and what I'm currently building for kitchens. There are some really interesting challenges involving headboards, bases, bed frames, different mattress sizes, and compatibility between different styles, so I'm experimenting with several approaches before moving into full production.

One of the biggest advantages of working this way is that every project teaches me something that carries over into the next one.

And here's the really cool part!

You'll be able to move the entire bed setup as a single unit: the headboard, the bed itself, the bed base, the nearby nightstands... and who knows what else I'll end up attaching to it. 😆

In fact, while developing the kitchen system, I discovered a solution that allowed me to fix an issue in the modular lighting collection. Sims should no longer try to place dirty dishes on top of certain chandeliers... especially if you happened to leave one unfinished. (So please, Finish installing all your light fixtures, as a precaution. Hahahha)

Many of the ideas developed for the kitchen counters will also be useful for the beds. Little by little, the entire FRAMEWORK Collection is evolving into a more unified and interconnected system.

My goal has remained the same since day one: to build a modular library that allows players to create incredibly diverse interiors without needing to install hundreds of completely independent objects.

There's still a long road ahead, but I'm genuinely excited about everything that's taking shape.

As always, thank you so much for making this work possible. Your support doesn't just fund these projects. It gives me the freedom to invest time into developing more ambitious ideas, experimenting with new concepts, and refining every detail before release.

I can't wait to share the next updates with all of you. ❤️